Coldwater Tropical Fish

Guppy

Size: Wild guppies grow up to 1.2in (3cm) for males and 2in (5cm) for females. Cultivated varieties are usually larger than this.

Distribution: Widely distributed north of the  Amazon basin in Antigua, Barbados, Dutch Antilles, Grenada, Guyana, Leeward Islands, St. Thomas, Trinidada, Venzuela and Windward Island. It is also found in numerous exotic locations, including Mexico, some European countries, Australia and Singapore.

Habitat: Slow moving or standing bodies of water containing submerged vegetation are prefered. Sometimes found in brackish areas.

Temperature: 15-28C (59-82F)

Diet: wide range of commercial and live foods. The diet should include a vegetable component (encrusting and free-sloating algae found in most ponds will provide an adequate supply)

Japanese Medaka

Size: Up to 1.6in (4cm)

Districution: China, Japan, and South Korea, but has also been reported from Java and Malaysia.

Habitat: Medakas occur in a variety of waters in the wild, preferring small streams, and, as one of their common names indicates, rice paddies.

Temperature: 15-28C (59-82F).

Diet: A wide range of livefoods and commercial diets is accepted.

Everglades Dwarf Sunfish

Size: Around 1.4in (3.6cm)

Distribution: Along the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain drainages of North America, stretching from North Carolina, through Alabama, to Florida, as far south as the edge of the Everglades.

Habitat: Heavily vegetaded still or slow moving waters.

Temperature: 10-30C (50-86F)

Diet: Wide range of small foods accepted, particularly livefoods.

Paradise Fish

Size: Up to 4.7in (12cm) for males, but usually smaller.

Distribution: Southern China, Korea, Taiwan, amd Vietnam.

Habitat: Shallow, still or slow moving waters with aquatic vegetation, e.g. rice paddies.

Temperatures: 16-28C (61-82F).

Diet: Wide range of foods accepted.